Zombies Invade Venice as Carnival Kicks Off

Zombies invaded Venice this weekend as the annual Carnival kicked off. The living dead lurched around the watery city's canals before they were herded into a piazza and despatched by zombie hunters.

The first official event was the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal. Hundreds of small boats rowed by colourfully costumed revellers jostled for space on the famous waterway.

This year's Venetian Carnival runs from the 15th of February until Shrove Tuesday – the 4th of March.

A woman crosses a canal during a "Zombie Walk", part of the Venetian CarnivalReutersReutersPirates of the Canareggio?ReutersZombie Mickey Tyson?GettyReutersReutersGettyParticipants dressed as zombies and soldiers simulate a fight at a "Zombie Walk", during Carnival in VeniceReutersSome of the participants looked like they were just a bit too much into the whole zombie thingReutersGettyRowers lift their oars in sign of salute at the start of the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal which officially opens the Venice CarnivalGettyCostumed rowers compete in the Historical RegattaGettyThe regatta passes under the Ponte dell'AccademiaGettyTourists wearing Carnival masks take photos of the Historical RegattaGettyTwo masked revellers wait for the passage of the Historical RegattaGettyA woman wearing a more traditional Venetian mask smiles during the CarnivalReutersThe "Pantegana" (Big Rat) sails on the Canaregio Canal...Getty... and releases ballons and smoke at the end of the Historical RegattaGetty